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Kids Run This Town Up, Down, and All Around

By: Faith Hecht, Youth Programs Manager

Another school year has come and gone, and the kids have been moving! Thanks to the coaching efforts of dozens of volunteers who provide guidance and training opportunities at schools and community locations, kids around the region achieved their running goals through Kids Run RVA during the 2017-18 school year.

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger and the Virginia529 Kids Run

With approximately 69 Kids Run RVA run clubs scattered throughout the metro Richmond area over the last school year, thousands of little feet hit the pavement in order to train and reach their running goals. For 46 of the run clubs, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k presented by Kroger on Saturday, April 14th was the culmination of their winter training programs. 28 of our Title I elementary school groups, totaling almost 700 students, participated in the Virginia529 Kids Run, a one-mile fun run that is part of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k festivities. They arrived by bus and by car and ran with abandon down the streets of the Fan and across the finish line. Another 300-plus middle and high school students took on the challenge of the full 10k distance.

Kids Run RVA at Ragnar Trail Richmond

Thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of four teams (and several of our very own run club coaches participating) at this spring’s Ragnar Trail Richmond event at Pocahontas State Park, we were able to raise an unprecedented $13,000 for our program.

We are already looking forward to the 2019 event, so if you’re interested in running Ragnar for free as a Kids Run RVA fundraising team, click here to find out more!

Richmond Road Runners Club/ Sports Backers Joint Grant Program

Our years-long partnership with the Richmond Road Runners Club has enabled us to help provide over $13,000 in grants to 33 schools and community groups seeking funds to implement or maintain run clubs or put on school-based running events during the past school year. These funds support new and existing run clubs as they purchase basic equipment, snacks, and other resources to promote success.

Whole Foods Market Marathon Jr.

The Whole Foods Market Marathon Jr. on Saturday, October 27th at Byrd Park is the most exciting youth running event on our fall calendar! For the 2017 event, Kids Run RVA supported 813 youth in their participation by providing complimentary entries and team t-shirts, as well as covering the cost of race-day bus transportation. We want to bring even more in 2018!

Run Club Coaches are all that and more!

The success of our run clubs would not be possible without the dedication, commitment, and quiet yet invaluable work of our army of volunteer run club coaches. Kids Run RVA is looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about helping coach at school and community-based kids run clubs. The primary role coaches play is encouraging physical activity in a nurturing way. Previous coaching experience is not necessary but a passion for running or jogging is preferred. Check back with us in early August in order to apply to become a volunteer Kids Run RVA run club coach. Your application will be used to help us understand your specific interest and availability, which will then help us to find the run club that would benefit the most from your coaching!